New Zealand - Blenheim, Christchurch

Dear Family and Friends,

We rode the smallest plane we have ever flown from Auckland in the north island to Blenheim in the south island.

Just about ready to board our plane.

Once we arrived in Blenheim we took a train to Christchurch. The scenery along the way was absolutely stunning.

Better than the Australian Overland train but nothing to write home about.

We saw the beach.

Beach with mountains.

And green hillsides.

Christchurch felt like a small Melbourne. They had a lot of murals on the buildings. It reminded me a little of Philadelphia with all the murals and bigger than life public art.

This mural was on the side of our hotel. It represents the cities partnership with preserving the ice caps.

Brett standing under some sort of obelisk in the center of town.

We saw the famous cardboard church. It is the temporary housing of the cathedral that was damaged during the earthquake of 2011.

The outside is made of recycled plastic.

The roofing beams are made of recycled cardboard.

The quake of 2011 completely changed the look of Christchurch. The 2011 quake is Christchurch version of 9/11. Everybody remembers and has a story. The quake also destroyed most of their historic buildings. All the buildings were converted to modern designs with some saving the facade. I told Brett that if we had visited before 2011, it would have been a completely different looking city.

We have given Atlas the opportunity to experience all types of modes of transportation: tram, train, bus, plane and boat. Now, for the first time, Atlas rode in a cable car gondola.

Taking the gondola to the top of the city.

Atlas and I overlooking the city.

Standing at the top of the gondola with Governer's Bay of Christchurch in the distance below,

Something else I must mention about Christchurch and maybe the south island in general is that their signage is absolutely hilarious!

This sign was on the door to the bathroom at one of the places we stopped for breakfast.

Neither Brett not I are coffee drinkers, but maybe it is that serious for some people.

Brett and I were both nodding our head in agreement to this one.

This sign was at the first tram stop in Christchurch. I was happy that I was familiar with most of the songs.

That's it for Christchurch. Next we head to Lake Tekapo to experience a dark sky.

Atlas enjoying some hot coco before we hit the road.